Johannes Kepler was born in the small town of Weil der Stadt (population: 200), Germany on December 27, 1571. The name of Kepler was once noble, since Kepler’s great-great-great-great-great-grandfather was knighted due to his military service. The name had since declined though, and Kepler came from humble beginnings being the first of seven children, not all of whom survived to adulthood. [1]

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Kepler was very earnest in his religious studies, and wished to pursue his education so as to one day enter the church. His other great interest was, of course, mathematics. An interesting comparison can be made between the disciplines of theology and mathematics in that they both seem to transcend reality in a divine way. [1]

Kepler was an exceedingly competitive boy, and had the highest standards of excellence. He once compiled a list of “enemies,” who were those that threatened his high rankings on the class lists. This spirit spurred young Kepler to race through the educational system, achieving his Bachelor’s degree from Maulbronn Monestary at the age of sixteen. He proceeded to study at the University of Tübingen to receive his masters degree. [1]